Bonus Scene #1: Happy Birthday Tori

Bonus Scene #1: Happy Birthday Tori
Tori’s POV

“Tori, sweetie… time to get up,” replies a sweet womanly voice. The voice in question belonging to none other than Layla. Tori’s mother.

“Mm..” I groan, not wanting to get up and out of bed.

Giggling, mom gently sits down beside me. Her hand now caressing my hair in an attempt to wake me up. Her voice still gentle. “Come on Tori. Today’s your birthday.”

At the mention of that, do I then slowly open my eyes. My tiny little body now rising. “Birthday?” my eyes now quick in looking to hers. A smile upon her face as though she knew.

“Yes. And your father and I both have something special for you. One I’m sure your itching to see.”

“Surprise?”

Smiling, mom simply nods. “Yes. Now then, why don’t you go and get yourself dressed. Your father’s downstairs and currently waiting for you.”

Grinning, my tiny body then jumps from the bed. My mother just giggling as my tiny body rushed for where my clothes all hung. A piece of me super excited about today and the supposed surprise that she and dad both had planned for me.

A piece of me unaware that the surprise would also involve Jake, Zak and Alex. Each of them currently 10. Each also older than me by a whole 6 years, yet, never seemed to be bothered by it. Jake, Zak, and Alex each treating me equally.

My tiny mind soon racing with the thought of me seeing them. Jake and the others my only true friends within the pack and for somebody like me, who was born scentless, it seemed like nobody else wanted too besides them. A small price to have if it meant being friends with the future Alpha, Beta and Delta. While Lilyanna, on the other, had become my biggest bully, and I couldn’t seem to understand that either.

Shrugging, my eyes soon drift to where my clothes all sat, all in which I spot a black t-shirt and tan cargo shorts. A perfect combination to wear. Grinning, I quickly then grab the items in general before hurrying myself to get dress. My small hands moving with urgency.

My mother still within the room. Her voice quick in filling the room. “My, you sure do move quickly when you want too sweetheart.”

Grinning again, I soon stand before my mother. My tiny voice answering her back. “Because I want to see Jake, Zak and Alex.” And then, with that said, do I then rush from the room. A smile upon my face. My small frame perfect for running when needed. My mom’s voice soon trailing behind me as I continued to run.

“Tori, slow down before you hurt yourself.”

“I got him,” yells Austin to his wife and mate as he instantly scoops me up. A yelp quick to rise as my dad continued to hold me. “Whoa, easy there pup. No running within the house, you know that.”

“But dad,” I whine. “I wanna see Jake, Zak and Alex.”

“And you will, just calm down.”

Mom then taking the time to slowly approach us. “Besides, you need your shoes before leaving the house. No hurting your feet. Because feet are the most sensitive part upon a wolf’s body.” Mom then quick to slide them on including some socks. “There, now your free to run off without hurting your feet.” Mom then quick in kissing my forehead as dad then slowly sets me back down.

“Alright you, off you go,” chuckles dad and that’s all it takes for me to go running out the door and into the outside. My parents just watching.

Mom quick to speak. “Austin?”

“Yeah?”

“I worry about him. Even after everything he’s gone through to get where he is, and we’re still no closer in learning the true meaning behind Tori’s unscented nature.”

“I know my love but fear not, Tori’s fine. You’ll see. Because in spite of everything else, Tori has Jake, Zak and Alex and those three will never abandon him. Even if the world does, those three won’t. And that’s because their always together, ever since Tori was born. Those three have always been around.”

“I know,” sighs Layla. “But it’s a mother’s job to worry… even if she shouldn’t.”

“And that’s completely normal to. Now then, enough worrying. You just focus on planning Tori’s big day. I, on the other, will work on following our son and make sure he doesn’t get hurt.” And then, before Layla could protest was Austin finally gone.

~ Outside ~

When finally reaching the outside did I instantly start looking for Jake, Zak and Alex. The now 10 year old boys my only source of happiness and fun. My eyes frantically searching. Today officially my 4th birthday and all I wanted was them, just like all my other past birthdays.

Meanwhile, a voice soon reaches my ears and I instantly pause. A voice I knew well, and one that found humor in everything I did.

“Oh look guys… the scentless freak is here. The one Jake, Zak and Alex all take pity on despite being older.”

“Eww.. how pathetic is that” replies another.

“Talk about humiliating,” answers a third.

My amber eyes soon quick to spot an eight year old Lily and two of her friends. The three of them joined at the hip as they continue to mock me.

“Yeah, personally… I feel like Jake should just wash his hands clean of Tori. Who needs a freak Gamma like him anyways?”

Their words cruel, and one that cause me to cry. “Not true. My mommy and daddy said that once I’m older, that I’ll finally be Jake’s Gamma.” My words soon trembling despite the urge to cry. My four year old mind unable to comprehend that this was just the beginning of Lilyanna’s bullying. That this would eventually become my new norm going forward. Even when Lilyanna decided to lean forward.

“Awe, look… he’s about to cry.”

Each one soon laughing at me even as tears finally begin to fall, unable to hold them back. The sound of growling soon reaches our ears, and Lilyanna freezes. Their faces soon pale. My own eyes then quick to look, even as small amber eyes soon notice fierce dual color ones.

“I suggest walking away Lily or else I’m telling father. Then he’ll tell your dad and you’ll be punished.”

Lily’s eyes instantly widening. “Y..You wouldn’t. My parents are too busy being warriors. They.. they’d be super mad at me if they knew.”

“Then I highly suggest doing as Jake says.. and scram.”

Alex’s voice firm, or as firm as it can be for a 10 year old boy. The threat present and more than enough to chase them off. My small body then lifted into warm protective arms. “Shh.. don’t cry little one. Especially not on a day like today,” replies Jake, who was now holding me close. My small hands just clinging to him.

“But… she… she said mean things to me… and on my birthday to,” I whisper out slowly.

“We know little one and we’re sorry we didn’t find you sooner,” replies Zak as he and Alex both stand beside me as well. A small sniffle then rising.

“Yeah, don’t let Lilyanna ruin your day. Besides, who cares what she thinks. Your still our little Gamma,” replies Alex.

“Yeah. And right now, we want to spend it with you and only you,” finishes Jake before deciding to tickle me. A squeal my only reply.

“Ja.. Jake…” I squeal, even as I continue to wiggle within his arms. The three of them enjoying my blight.

“Mm… yes little one?”

“Stop it now.. or I’m telling mommy on you!”

“Oh really now? Then we definitely need to make this special then. Especially if your telling your parents about it.”

Jake’s fingers soon picking up pace, and my entire body then erupts into full blown laughter as I then try and get myself down. Jake eventually stopping, and my tiny frame is slowly set down. “There, all better, no more tears.”

“Definitely, especially not for this little one. Not for our little birthday boy.”

And that was all it took for me to instantly bounce back. “Presents?” Jake, Zak and Alex each simply laughing.

“Yes little one, presents. But for now, the three of us have something special planned for you. A full day designed specifically for you and only you.” My face soon quick to pout when hearing about that. Jake quick to ruffle my hair.

“No pouting little one. I promise you’ll love this. Now come on, let’s go.” Then, before I could ask what or where, am I suddenly carted away. My curiosity growing as my three best friends work on celebrating my big special day. Jake soon speaking again.

“Hey Tori?”

“Yeah?” I answer, my tiny face soon spotting his. Jake just smiling his usual smile before taking my hand with his. His hand warm. Gentle.

“Nothing… never mind… Happy Birthday Tori.”

And that’s all it takes for my tiny face to instantly light up. Those three simple words. And words I would forever cherish the older I got. His words still echoing within me. Happy Birthday Tori.